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A Top End Extravaganza
for the Experiential Traveller The
Top End is a large area with so many fantastic world class places to visit. Trying
to decide where to go can be tricky as, what do you leave out? Everyone wants
to go to Kakadu National Park, but what about canoeing the famous Katherine Gorge
( Nitmiluk National Park) or experiencing Litchfield National Park with its wide
variety of natural habitats, stunning waterfalls and the 'Lost City'? The answer
is 'you don't have to miss anything'. Our
5 Day Top End Explorer allows time to see and experience the best the Top End
has to offer, with plenty of highlights added. Our first three days are devoted
to exploring Kakadu National Park. Be prepared to view some of the best indigenous
rock art in the world at Ubirr Rock. We visit Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, have
a boat cruise with an Aboriginal Guide, plenty of swimming in divine waterholes
and great hiking. We also include an
exclusive Aboriginal cultural experience by visiting the Kakadu Culture Camp which
is owned and operated by local Aboriginal people. Get an insight into their way
of life, their culture, dreamtime stories as well as some hands on experience
weaving, spear throwing or have a crack playing the didgeridoo. We
spend a full day canoeing the first three gorges of Katherine Gorge, a deep watercourse
carved out of sandstone over millions of years, which is absolutely mind blowing.
You'll see Aboriginal art sites, a stunning array of bird life, possibly even
a long neck turtle or small fresh water croc. Our
final day is spent exploring Litchfield National Park with rainforest walks, swimming
in wondrous waterholes and finding out about those weird termite mounds that dot
the landscape. Our Special Permits allow us exclusive access to the Upper Tolmer
Falls and Upper Sandy Creek Falls so we can get off the beaten tourist track and
start to get a feel for this special environment.
If really getting to know and experience a place is high on your priority list
and you're not restricted by time, then the 5 Day Top End Explorer is the way
to go. Day 1 - Litchfield, Katherine
and Kakadu Tours Kakadu: Our tour
begins by picking you up from your accommodation at 6:30am. Next we get to view
some fantastic bird life on the Marrakai Floodplain as we head down the Arnhem
Highway on our way to Kakadu National Park. We start our day's highlights with
a Private Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise on Corroboree Billabong, a part of the
Mary River system. You are bound to see plenty of bird life and usually a lot
of crocodiles on a 1.5 hour cruise that won't leave you disappointed. Next
you can view various displays on Kakadu at the Bowali Visitor Centre before heading
north to Ubirr Rock. The concentration of Aboriginal art at Ubirr is magnificent
and is recognised as one of the most famous rock art and cultural sites in the
world. At Ubirr Rock you will see some fantastic Aboriginal Art sites and learn
about the Aboriginal lifestyle and culture. A short climb to the top of Ubirr
Rock will reward you with a 360 degree view over floodplains and the Arnhem Land
Escarpment - a spectacular sight. From here we make our way to our overnight campsite
and tonight after a candlelit dinner in the heart of Kakadu, you can have a go
at playing the didgeridoo around the campfire.
Meal: Lunch, Dinner
Camp: Garnamar/Muirella Park Campground (toilets & showers available)
Walking: 4 - 7 km Day 2
- Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Tours Kakadu:
Today we get off-road in our 4-wheel drive vehicle and start making our way to
Twin Falls where you will get to enjoy an informative boat cruise with an Aboriginal
Guide up Twin Falls Gorge. After a short walk down to the end of the gorge, you
reach a beautiful white sandy beach at the base of Twin Falls - simply spectacular.
Enjoy relaxing on the beach for a while as you take in the scenery which can best
be described as breath taking. Keep
a look out for local wildlife as we 4WD through creeks and sand on our way to
the mighty Jim Jim Falls. A swim in the plunge pool at the base of Jim Jim Falls
is sure to wake you up for the day as you cool down in the refreshing water. To
reach the plunge pool, a 1km scenic walk through monsoon rainforest is taken and
has excellent lookouts over Jim Jim Falls. Take your time to admire the awesome
sight of the sheer cliff faces that surround you from the base of the gorge. For
the hikers today, you will get a return walk (7km's) to the Top of Jim Jim or
Twin Falls which both offer magnificent views down the gorge and allow swimming
in rock pools at the top of the falls. These longer walks also give you the chance
to really see Kakadu's diverse range of magnificent plant species. Tonight after
a candlelit dinner in the heart of Kakadu, we can share a few tales around the
campfire. Meal: Breakfast,
lunch, dinner
Camp: Garnamar/Muirella Park Campground (toilets & showers
available)
Walking: 9km's
Day
3 - Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Tours
Kakadu: What a better way to start the morning than by sitting back and enjoying
an Exclusive Aboriginal Cultural Experience operated by Kakadu Culture Camp. These
Traditional Owners are from Kakadu and are able to provide you with a rare insight
into their lifestyle and culture. Meet Aboriginal Traditional Owners in this "hands-on"
demonstration which gives you the opportunity to participate in fun activities
such as spear throwing, didgeridoo lessons, weaving and listening to some great
dreamtime stories. Next enjoy the
picturesque surroundings of Barramundi Gorge where you can spend some time exploring,
rock climbing, relaxing or swimming in the waterfalls, the choice is yours. Our
last highlight today is a stop for a swim at Moline Rock Hole, one of our Special
Permit areas. This beautiful waterfall is located in the very southern end of
Kakadu and is perfect for cooling down before heading to our overnight campsite
near Katherine after a day full of swimming, adventure and great scenery. Meal:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Camp: Edith Falls/Katherine (toilets & showers
available)
Walking: 3km's Day
4 - Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Tours
Katherine : Jump into
your canoes after breakfast and spend most of the day exploring this breathtaking
region. Today can be taken at your leisure or be an extremely active adventure
as we have a full day canoeing up Katherine Gorge - the choice is yours. For those
who are keen, we will aim to canoe to the end of the 3rd gorge. For those who
are less keen, you can spend some time relaxing once we reach the 2nd gorge and
be picked up on the return journey. After canoeing, we make our way into Kakadu
after a great day full of awesome scenery, Aboriginal Art sites, waterfalls, birds
and adventure. Katherine
Gorge activities are additional and at own expenses.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Canoeing: Maximum 12km's
Camp:
Edith Falls/Katherine (toilets & showers available) Day
5 - Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Tours
Litchfield: Our first
stop for the day is in Litchfield National Park at the picturesque Florence Falls
for a refreshing swim after completing a short walk through the surrounding monsoon
rainforest. From here you will find many of the waterfalls in Litchfield are close
by meaning no long hauls in the tour vehicle for the rest of the day. Swim
in the crystal clear rock pools of Buley Rockholes before a short drive to the
famous Wangi Falls for a quick swim. We hold a Special Permit that allows us to
access the Upper Tolmer Falls area with our groups, so after a scenic bushwalk
you can swim in a secluded location at the top of Tolmer Falls. Our company also
holds a permit to access Upper Sandy Creek Falls which can be substituted by the
guide to replace some of the above crowded destinations. As
we leave Litchfield National Park we pass by floodplains scattered with hundreds
of Meridian Termite Mounds and make a brief stop to learn more about the inhabitants
of these amazing structures. Watch the sunset as we head back to Darwin in the
early evening at the end of your 5 day safari. Leave your tour with memories of
spectacular scenery, magnificent waterfalls and having had lots of fun with a
group of great people.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch,
dinner
Walking: 4 - 7km's
Note: Tour is operated
as a code-share with Wilderness 4WD Adventures. A 9 seat 4WD
may be used if passenger numbers are low.
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